It’s always special when standing in a quiet marsh to look up and spot this.
A group of Roseate Spoonbill flying in right towards me.
They are such a unique animal.
A Favorite Sight, Spoonbill
Category Archives: Spoonbill
A Graceful Landing, Spoonbill
This was the right place at the right time. A group of Roseate Spoonbill came right to me and landed.
While this tree, and small marsh island, may be a favorite spot of theirs you still need to be there when they arrive.
Like everything in wildlife photography you never know what or when. Just need to be out there. I do admit they have made it easier by staying here year round.
Several came in, as a group, making it difficult to decide where to shoot.
Ultimately it was just focus and point, figure things out later.
They Love Small Branches, Spoonbill
Branches over the water, small trees, doesn’t matter. They try to pile together on branches and twigs. Sometimes all at the same time.
They push and shove each other for the best twig, like the game ‘king of the hill’.
Half the time they can’t keep their balance on them anyway, too small.
Always one, a little smarter than the others. Doesn’t take much to choose a sturdy branch, or if you’re a Spoonbill maybe it does.
Roseate Spoonbill Up Above Us, Almost A Pose
A Spoonbill sitting over a dike road. Showing her best side I believe.
Checking On Me, Spoonbill
This was taken as I walked by a group of Spoonbill resting in a tree. The bird here casually looked over his shoulder at me and gave me the ‘you still here’ look.
I got the hint and moved on.
It’s A Parade, Wood Storks (And Friends)
I think the marshes were at their lowest point when I shot these. The food, and the predators, were in close quarters.
Moving between watering holes was just like a parade.
Most of the time there is a hierarchy, size wins. Speed became more important.
The Storks were still in charge, hard to compete with those long legs.
The Spoonbill move pretty quick too, and the Storks don’t intimidate them.
Of course there’s always one that makes their own rules.
Why not fly in? Good question. Wading birds almost always walk around if it’s not a long distance.
Watching From Above, Spoonbill
This was one I missed completely. I walked right under these trees and never looked up. Ellen spotted them after I had passed.
Spoonbill are almost always down low, at least that is what I have become accustomed too.
In reality they sit, nest, and hang out in trees. I just always look out at the water. Now I wonder how many have watched me walk by lately because I had started some bad habits.
Look Out, Crash Landing, Spoonbill
A typical Spoonbill landing, pick a spot and take it. Pretty much ‘Look Out Below’.
When a big bird is dropping on top of them a hole opens up quickly.
None seem to get upset about it. Just the way things are done.
